Spyderco byte - Brouwer Folder

Spyderco’s new Brouwer Folder is a performance-oriented everyday-carry cutting tool designed by Dutch custom knifemaker Jerry Brouwer. Its refined design reflects both his extensive real-world experience as a knife user and his uncompromising commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Brouwer’s lifelong passion for knives began as a child. He was a frequent visitor to his local knife shop, where he spent countless hours carefully examining the fit, finish, and function of every knife he handled. Years later, he pursued a career as a corrections officer and served as a member of an elite riot team that quelled uprisings in prisons throughout the Netherlands. He is also an accomplished practitioner of the Russian martial art of Systema and an avid outdoorsman. These experiences gave him ample opportunity to use knives in many different contexts and helped him develop a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to knife design.

In 2008, after reading a book on knifemaking written by a fellow Dutchman, Brouwer tried his hand at making his first knife. Encouraged by the result, but anxious to improve his skills, he soon turned knifemaking into a serious hobby. Fascinated by the elegant simplicity of traditional Japanese patterns, many of Brouwer’s knives are expressions of kiridashi and kaiken-style blades, some with classic stingray cord-wrapped handles. He has also made many modern interpretations of the Finnish puukko and enjoys crafting both friction and frame-lock folding knives.

One of Brouwer’s most popular folding knife designs is his “Flanker” model, which he developed around 2013. Shortly after designing it, he attended a Spyderco “Meet” in Amsterdam with a friend of his. While chatting with Spyderco’s Eric Glesser, Brouwer’s friend asked to see the knife, which he quickly handed to Eric and encouraged him to “give it a look.” Eric was impressed with the refined functionality of the knife and Brouwer’s down-to-earth approach to knifemaking. In fact, he was impressed enough to ask Brouwer if he could borrow the knife to display it with other concept models and prototypes at trade shows. Brouwer agreed and the rest, as they say, is history. The Spyderco Brouwer was born.

According to Brouwer, he designed his namesake knife from the ground up as a serious, everyday-carry cutting tool. Specifically, he wanted it to achieve the perfect balance of a knife that is small enough to carry conveniently, yet substantial enough for challenging cutting chores.

The heart of the Brouwer Folder is its PlainEdge™ blade, which is crafted from CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel and full-flat ground for superior edge geometry and low-friction cutting performance. Its drop-point profile offers outstanding utility, while the combined synergy of an index-finger choil and textured thumb ramp allow precise control when used with a “choked-up” grip. Spyderco’s Trademark Round Hole™ is positioned closer to the blade’s centerline to allow a straight spine, while still ensuring easy one-handed opening.

The Brouwer’s slim, ergonomic handle features a matte-finished solid titanium scale and Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) on one side and a textured green G-10 scale and nested, skeletonized stainless steel liner on the other. To provide a solid lock-up and long service life, the R.I.L. includes a stainless steel interface that also serves as an overtravel stop to preserve proper spring tension of the lock bar. A reversible stainless steel hourglass clip mounted to the butt end of the handle keeps the knife ready for instant access and offers a choice of left or right-side tip-up carry. It is complemented by a lined lanyard hole that allows the easy attachment of fobs and safety lanyards.

An extremely functional everyday-carry cutting tool, the Brouwer proudly satisfies all the design goals of its creator. We are equally proud to offer it in the Spyderco product line.

P.S. We were very saddened to learn that Jerry Brouwer has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and that his future activities as a custom knifemaker will be hampered by the effects of that illness. We sincerely hope that our expression of his innovative design will allow his skills to be appreciated by a wider audience. Please join us in sending thoughts and prayers to him and his family.